which monitor for £550

garymcq23

garymcq23

garymcq23

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Hi there,

First thing, yes the GTX 680 will do great at 2560x1440 resolution, even in games like BF3 the framerates at 2560x1600 seem to be rather good.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5699/nvidia-geforce-gtx-680-review/13

As for which of those monitors to go for - it is a tough decision between a 27in 1440p 60Hz IPS monitor and a 27in 1080p 120Hz TN panel monitor and tbh it is very much personal choice - as different people would pick a different one (even if they all play games).

The 120Hz Samsung would make the most sense if you play mainly fast-paced games like FPSs and/or are interested in using the 3D technology (though if you want to do 3D you may want to go with a Nvidia 3D vision2 compatible monitor). However, if you are mainly playing slightly slower paced games or spend a lot of time in the desktop/applications then a high resolution IPS monitor like the Dell will likely be more useful and nice to live with.
 
im not to clued about gaming on the pc as this is my first build. i am playing games like bf3 dirt 3 and crysis. what 3d monitor would you buy for 3d gaming and which one for high res gaming?
 
For 3D gaming the best bet for use with an Nvidia graphics card seems to be the ASUS VG278H. However, if you would rather have a 24in, then the BenQ XL2420T is a widely regarded 120Hz and 3D monitor (you can buy the Nvidia 3D vision2 kit separately or bundled with the monitor).

Personally, I would only go down the 3D route if you are convinced you will use the technology regularly, as many people don't like using it and it adds a lot of cost.

Also, please bear in mind that a 120Hz monitor which is also advertised as a "3D" monitor can also be used as a 120Hz 2D monitor with any brand of graphics card (eg. that Samsung 120Hz with the GTX 680). So if you don't care about using the 3D then the Samsung S27A750/950 would work fine as a 2D 120Hz monitor with your GTX 680. To be clear, with a 120Hz refresh rate (the standard refresh rate is 60Hz) motion on screen feels smoother, so playing fast paced games can be more enjoyable.

For high-res, the Dell you picked is excellent. The pixel response of this monitor is rather good (so little ghosting is seen), however the input lag is a bit high - this means it isn't ideal for competitive online gaming - but it is certainly usable. Most monitors of this type either have the same "issues" with input lag or inferior motion handling (such as the HP and Samsung 1440p monitors).

That said, the Hazro HZ27WC doesn't use a scaler, but does use pixel overdrive - so it's pixel response is on the level of the dell, while the input lag is much lower - hence a really nice monitor for gaming (here is a review). However, the QC and customer sevice offered with the Hazro isn't as good as the Dell - so you have to make your own judgemnt on which to go for.
 
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Yes, absolutely.

You just need to use the dual-link DVI or Displayport connection and ensure your graphics card has the video output signal set to 1920x1080@120Hz.
 
Do you use your u2711 for gaming? I was planing on going for the dell but I didnt realise it wasn't 120 MHz. I thought it would have been 120mhz at that price or is no high resolution monitors 120mhz?
 
Yea, no high resolution monitors are 120Hz. Therefore you have a choice, either a high quality high resolution 60Hz panel or a lower quality, lower resolution 120Hz panel.

This is because IPS type panels like the ones used in the high resolution monitors like the Dell U2711 just aren't fast enough to work well with a 120Hz refresh rate (the pixels just don't transition quick enough). So for the time being the only 120Hz monitors you can buy use TN type panels.
 
I recently went through the process of choosing a monitor 3D or IPS, ive settled on one of the Korean monitors as they are cheap and allow me to spend money on a GPU. Once I had seen a IPS panel I fell in love. It made me realize what I would be using more often which is 2D. Until 3D isn't optional i think i will stick with 2D.
 
I love my U2711 as well, and I use it for gaming (BF3 mainly, but racing games etc as well), and it's grand. My ISP is the big limiting factor for most of it, not the monitor, but it is a bit slower than other TN panels I've used. Saying that, for everything else I do (photo editing, desktop work, etc) it's magnificent.
 
It may be worth having a hunt around some highstreet shops so you can get some hands-on experience with 120Hz monitors and 2450x1440res IPS panel monitors - so you can make an informed choice on which to go for.

For the 27in 2560x1440 IPS experience the iMac 27in uses basically the same panel as the Dell U2711 and the Hazro - so if you can have a go on an iMac then you will get a good idea of what is so nice about these type of monitors.

As for a 120Hz monitor this may be more tricky, but I have heard that some big-box type computer hardware stores have 120Hz monitors (usually accompanied with 3D glasses) available for hands-on testing. If you can get onto one of these (and ensure it is running in 120Hz 2D mode) then you will get an idea of what this type of monitor is about.

Alternatively, buy both and send the one you don't want back via DSR for a full refund :)
 
Thanks for the help I think I'll just have to order both monitors and see what one I like best. The only real pc shop near me is pc world and I don't think they have any 3d monitors on show or high resolution ones
 
Ah, that is a shame - though the PC shop you mentioned is one of the "big box" ones that sometimes do put 120Hz monitors on display and iirc they almost always show iMacs (which use a high resolution IPS panel - just like the Dell U2711).

However, I guess ordering both means you will be able to put each monitor properly through its paces before you decide which one to keep.

Please bear in mind that with DSR returns you have to notify the shop within 7 working days of them shipping out the item that you wish to return it (and get it back to them within 30 days). Also, the obligation is on the buyer to pay for returning the item to the seller.
 
There is a apple shop near me to might go in there and have a look then. It's just I have spent a lot of money on my new pc and I'm playing it on my full hd tv and to me the graphics don't look that much better than my Xbox so I'm hoping a new monitor will give me the Wowww factor I'm looking for
 
The iMac 27 inch is bang on for colour to the dell, but the dell has a matte anti glare coating on it so looks a little less sharp on plain white screens. I'm glad it has it though as I now have a window behind my desk. I also like how incredibly adjustable the stand is, and all the different inputs. If I was going to go 3d I'd be looking at the passive LG monitors, so really the Samsung is only really special for its great looks, great panel, and 120hz buttery smoothness.

It's your decision, and they're both great monitors. I know the dell is awesome, and people say the Samsung is great too, so either way you'll be a very happy chappy.
 
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